Raynham Park owner predicts he will get slots, and maybe a full casino

A bill designed to license up to three resort-style casinos, including one in southeastern Massachusetts, and a single slots parlor in the state awaits approval by Gov. Deval Patrick.

By Maria Papadopoulos

The Taunton Daily Gazette, Taunton, MA

By Maria Papadopoulos

Posted Nov. 17, 2011 at 12:01 AM
Updated Nov 17, 2011 at 5:16 PM

By Maria Papadopoulos

Posted Nov. 17, 2011 at 12:01 AM
Updated Nov 17, 2011 at 5:16 PM

RAYNHAM

» Social News

George Carney says his dream to bring a slot-machine parlor and even a resort casino to his Raynham Park may come true.

A bill to license up to three resort-style casinos and a single slots parlor in the state awaits Gov. Deval Patrick’s signature.

Carney on Wednesday predicted that a slot-machine parlor with 1,250 machines will open at Raynham Park by next July.

Within 18 months, he added, the park could win approval for a $200 million to $250 million resort casino as well – a move that he said would bring 600 to 800 full- and part-time jobs to the greater Brockton region.

“I feel very happy. I’ve been waiting for 10 years for the bill to get through,” park owner Carney said.

The Legislature on Wednesday gave final approval to the expanded gambling legislation allowing three resort casinos in separate regions of the state, including southeastern Massachusetts, and one openly bid facility with up to 1,250 slot machines.

If the governor approves the bill as expected, it could still take several years before any casino opens its doors in the state. A slots parlor could open sooner.

Bids for the casino licenses would start at $85 million. Bids for the slots parlor license would start at $25 million.

Carney said he is ready and has “lined up my finances with a major institution. Financing is not going to be an issue.”

“We have a great location. We’re going to have more than just a location with slot machines. We’re going to have a destination,” Carney said.

Several local legislators supported the bill, saying it would bring added jobs and revenues to the state.

A joint press release from the House and Senate said the legislation could provide 10,000 to 15,000 long-term jobs and generate hundreds of millions of dollars a year for the state.

“We’re losing a lot of people to other states (for gambling). They’re spending their recreational dollars against state lines,” state Sen. Marc Pacheco, D-Taunton, told The Enterprise.

The bill “is an important piece of a comprehensive economic development plan,” Pacheco said.

Rep. Christine Canavan, D-Brockton, said the bill “means jobs. It means some hope for an area that was hard-hit when the (Raynham) dog track closed.”

But opponents say bringing casinos to Massachusetts will not be a wise move financially.

“They’re saying it would be a cure to our revenue problem, and I don’t believe that,” said Judith Gibbs, 64, of Lakeville, a member of United to Stop Slots.

“It’s a Band-Aid. It does not solve the problem,” Gibbs, 64, said. “Look at every state that has casinos. California has the most casinos in that state, and you tell me they are financially well off?”